Skip the lease and do day hunts??

[SwampRabbit]

I like to do both. A low cost lease mixed with a couple TBH group hunts. The low cost lease allows me a guaranteed place to go without having to worry about availability. I can go whenever I can get out there and on very short notice. On top of that, I then try to go on a couple of group hunts that have popped up on here.

[Tree]

When the grandsons get out of high school, I'll probably ditch the lease and just do day hunts. I could do several management hunts or a high end trophy hunt for what I put into my lease annually.

[muzzlebrake]

Been thinking about it. For what a Texas lease and upkeep costs, I can go to Kansas or Ohio or Illinois and kill a monster on one of the paid hunts. $3500 up there will get you a goodun. This is what my brother has been doing and so far 100% success in Kansas.

[Brinkley]

Good info guys thanks

[eltacs]

I bought my own place -

55 acres in OKLA.
Literally - right at $55,000. vs the triple to quadruple price here in TX.

Bigger Deer + Better Vegetation

Great for the family to enjoy year round

But best thing - It is mine...
I can have who I want, when I want, and do what I want....
And eventually pass it down to my kids.

I justified it to the wife as it was the same as DRIVING a NEW VEHICLE.
So I drove the old truck for 5 yrs and - BLAMO.....

DONE DEAL.

That is what I recommend

FOR RESEARCH / INTEREST ----> Look up PUSHMATAHA COUNTY, OKLA.

[bowhntrmatt]

This. I just don't have the genetics where I hunt, bunch of old deer just can't them over 130 range what I pay for 2 spots I could hunt some big boys on some nice ranches.

Sounds like you are describing the place I hunt!

I have often pondered the same thing, as my lease in Val verde county rarely sees a deer over 140.
However, I like my lease because of the good group of guys, good owners, lots of deer, and country that looks nothing like what I'm used to around these parts. Plus the price isnt too bad and it's never crowded.

[savin yours]

So what would a 140-150 class buck cost at a day lease? I've pondered this same scenario, I have a 4.5 hour drive and hunt maybe 5 times a year.

[powderburner]

If it was just me then yes I would do the day lease. But I have 4 kids. So I lease land. When I got on the lease I am on now 13 years ago. It was over hunted and sad. Now we kill good deer each year and my kids love it. The drive is not easy but I accept the drive as part of it.
You still drive to get to a day lease so you can not figure gas into the math of it. IMO

[jimj]

There are lots of east Texas leases. Several bow only in the Silsbee area that are producing 140's regular. From Lumberton you are in the heart of great deer within an hour drive. The day leases I have done are ok at best. I say find a spot, you cant afford to take six hunting on a day lease for one day which is what you would pay for all year access for the whole family. Just my take.

[sharkhunter]

People are willing to pay $1500 to $2000 for a lease with no deer on it, at all lol!!! And let's not even talk about what a good lease will cost. I'm going one of two way myself. I'm either going to lease the whole place for just me and my family or I'm going to Bowhunting public land during bow season and then do a nice package hunt for a management buck and doe during rifle season. This year I found a red deer hind hunt for $500 total and I'm fishing a lot so I'm good.

[sharkhunter]

So what would a 140-150 class buck cost at a day lease? I've pondered this same scenario, I have a 4.5 hour drive and hunt maybe 5 times a year.

$2800 plus and that probably would include two does and a nice lodge with some of the finest eating you've ever had.

[bukkskin]

Anyone out there ditched the lease route and find a place to take the whole family for maybe a long weekend or week?

With the busy schedules of six kids, both my wife and I having careers and just the responsibilities that come with a large family with no family within 6 hours!! it seems like having a local lease for the last few years (we have taken 3 deer and a few hogs) is a large drain on my capacity. I go on a day hunt (chambers ranch) each year myself, will probably do an out of state hunt next year and put in for a few TPWD draw hunts. My wife and I are talking about not getting on a lease next year and just spend that money and time and take the whole family (three of the six kids hunt) to a ranch somewhere that they odds of seeing critters is high, not worried about trophies necessarily just something that we could have some good family fun!

Anyone else out there do this? Maybe me going on probably 15-20 sits so far this year and not seeing a deer has me re-thinking everything but it sure seems like a better idea! haha

You can probably book a weekend or two on some really nice places. Shoot Management deer. Or takes turns on a trophy and everyone else take a doe. Fish in the middle of the day, have your meals cooked for you, Relax with your family.
Sounds like ya'lls plates are pretty full right now. A lease, in your situation, sounds like a struggle and stress more than fun. If things slow down later on then get another lease. Good luck whatever you do.

[Swampa]

No way for me, I'm staying on the lease. It's 3 hrs door to door and relatively inexpensive. How much are you spending a year for your current lease? That would be my deciding factor.

[basschump]

I have a 12 year old that loves to hunt. We don't have family land to hunt deer, but can do hog hunting if we wish. I can't seem to find a lease that is family friendly and close enough to use on a regular basis.

After much (painful) trial and error, I found a ranch in central texas that we hunt on the youth weekend. My son has killed a really nice buck in each of the last two seasons. It's pricey (relatively*) but we treat it as an adventure. We also apply for all sorts of youth hunts with TPWD (were successful last year, doe chaparral WMA) and found an affordable late season doe hunt at the end of the season.

Don;t forget spring turkey season. It also has a youth season, active hunting, and ts affordable relative to deer hunting.

It's not perfect, but we get to hunt. Each trip is different and unique and we treat each as an adventure. Tent camp on TPWD hunts and he gets to meet and visit other youth hunters.

I miss time spent at a lease and the connection to people and the land. The right lease is priceless, but are rare.

Good luck!
BC

* day hunting is relatively expensive. Our hunt two weekends ago was $750 and he killed a buck that scored right at 120 (low fence). We stayed at the ranch cabin, used the ranchers UTV, hunted for fossils, ect. We did bring the food for the weekend. (but, it didn't have to buy a feeder, fill it with corn/protein all year, purchase UTV, bling, etc..) it's all about tradeoffs.

[Lethal Injection]

If anyone decides to drop their spot on a lease please hook me up, been without a place for myself and the kids for the past 4-5 years now.